“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”

– Blaise Pascal –

It’s human nature to look for the next thing. After the initial high from an achievement fades, you look for next: A higher salary. A bigger house. A new mountain to conquer.

This is Hedonic adaptation. It’s good for evolution. If our natural instinct was to sleep all day (relatable), humans wouldn’t have survived and thrived.

There will always be a hole to fill. Wisdom is how you fill it.

Bad ways: Get addicted to porn, gambling, alcohol. You wake up one day and feel empty.

A couple of thoughts on good ways to fill the need for next:

Look for “Good Enough” — the Point of Diminishing Returns

The easiest way to keep score in a capitalist society is money, so we’ll start with that. Specifically, how much money do you need to be happy?

There’s been a couple of famous studies. First, Daniel Kahneman said that beyond $75k a year, happiness plateaus. Then, other studies refuted that, saying for most people — more money leads to more happiness. The latest studies have shown that $500k¹ might be the new $75k.

Regardless of where that threshold is, I’m convinced there’s a personal point where pushing² to make more money isn’t worth the cost. A point where it’s “good enough.”

How much is that for you?

I love this definition:

Most people don’t dream of being fancy-rich.
They dream of being rich enough to say, “Treat’s on me,” without thinking twice.
Rich enough to have a home that feels like a hug, a fridge stocked like a five-year-old with adult money, and a tray of chocolates waiting for someone to…

— Warpaint Journal (@WarpaintJournal) April 28, 2025

To be clear, making more money is amazing. But no matter your income, you’ll always need to manage expectations. Making $100k/year is cool — as long as you resist the urge to compare yourself to Chad making $200k.

This applies to things beyond money.

Working out once a week is infinitely better than being a Netflix sloth. But unless your true love is fitness, there are diminishing returns between working out 3x a week and pushing for 8-pack abs.

Perhaps there are other “next” things that are more worthy of your attention.

Don’t Chase Pleasure. Work on Things That Lead to Happiness

Our default way of living life — especially when we’re young — is often:

• Try new things
• If it feels good >> do more
• If it feels bad >> avoid it

However, there are limitations to this.

Although they can feel the same, consider the difference between short-term pleasure and long-term happiness. Short-term pleasures can be good: an ice cream cone on a summer’s day, a mindless stroll through Twitter, a night out with champagne.

But just like how you shouldn’t have ice cream at every meal, you shouldn’t only chase things that feel good. A meaningful life is not an endless cycle of dopamine hits and cravings for the next one. That’s the path to depression.

Instead, some difficult things in the short-term lead to long-term happiness. Such as:

• An honest conversation with your boss on what the company needs, and what you need
• Traveling to visit your parents
• Serving your community

These are things that’ll help reduce your desire for another Rolex.

“Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”

– Henry David Thoreau –

Flow With the Different Seasons of Life

I think high achievers naturally expect life to be a straight line going up. From one success to another. Or even better, an exponential curve. (Just like your net worth.)

In reality, ancient wisdom teaches us there are seasons in life. Winters and springs. Sickness and health. Sorrow and joy.

And then there are plateaus.

According to consulting firm Gallup’s 2025 survey, 62% of employees globally are disengaged, while 17% are actively disengaged. 17 out of every 100 workers hate their jobs. But 62 feel meh.

Arguably tougher to be in the “meh” situation. If you hate your job, you’ll eventually leave. But a plateau is confusing. Maybe it gets better? Worse? Worse before better?

You don’t have to rush. Maybe you feel stagnant and wanna quit tomorrow. But if it’s the right season in life, you might need to soldier on for a bit. Patience and endurance are virtues.

I’m not saying you forego the need for next. I’m saying a realistic question is “when?”

Manage Your Need for Status

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

Actor Jim Carrey said this in an interview in December 2005. He was 43, after a decade of being one of the most famous men in the world.

Psychologists have long recognized that esteem and status are fundamental human motivations. All of us want respect and recognition from others. It’s why we chase promotions and titles.

But following the “good enough” principle, how much status is enough? On the spectrum of basement-dweller to 2005 Jim Carrey, what’s a good position to be in?

From what I’ve learned, it’s already lovely to be recognized by people within your “tribe” — where you work or where you stay. Exceptional if it’s recognition from experts in your area of expertise. But the trade-offs of Jim Carrey-like fame can be miserable.

Interesting example: Warren Buffett is the GOAT of the finance world, but can still openly eat at McDonald’s every morning in his hometown. Manage your need for status within constraints, and you can be more than happy.

Besides, at the end of your life, only a small group of loved ones’ love will matter.

Look Beyond Yourself for Your Next Challenge

A new challenge doesn’t have to be inward focused. This was tough for me to learn — because I’m very individualistic by nature. Me, me, me.

Instead, it could be focused on others — whether it’s raising a puppy or becoming a career mentor.

This is the secret to transitioning gracefully to an elder. For the next chapter in life. It’s not about fighting another year to win Top B2B SaaS Salesperson.

I’ve always been inspired by how Kobe Bryant — the ultimate competitor — moved on from pro basketball, before his tragic passing.

“Championships come and go,” Kobe said after he retired.

“But if you really want to create something that lasts generations, you have to help inspire the next generation, and they create something great, and then that generation will inspire the one behind them, right? … That’s when you create something forever.”

Maybe your next great challenge isn’t just about what you’ll achieve, but who you’ll help along the way.

– – –

Footnotes:

1. $500k is not necessarily the point at which happiness plateaus. Rather, there’s lack of comprehensive data for earners above that level.

2. Keyword: pushing. Of course if you’re in a position where the additional money comes passively, then great.

Pic from Pexels: Jamshed Ahmad